Betsy Russell

06 Sep, 1963 | San Diego, California

Actress

Biography

Betsy Russell is an American actress who is best remembered for her roles in several 1980s B movies, and for the role of Jill Tuck, the ex-wife of the sociopathic Jigsaw in the Saw film series. Russell was born in San Diego, California, daughter of Richard Russell, a stock analyst, and granddaughter of journalist and educator Max Lerner. She began acting in school projects while high school in San Diego, and won the role in a Pepsi commercial that was taped locally while in high school. After graduating from Mission Bay High School in 1981, she moved to Los Angeles and began taking acting classes and waitress jobs before her first role. Career Russell's first role was in the 1982 film Let's Do It!. That same year, she landed roles on T.J. Hooker and Family Ties. In 1983, Russell's breakout role came as Jordan Leigh-Jenson in the sex comedy, Private School. She went on to star in a series of B movies in the 1980s including Tomboy, Avenging Angel, and Cheerleader Camp. In addition to films, Russell also appeared on The A-Team, Murder, She Wrote, 1st & Ten, and an episode of Superboy, which was a reunion with her Tomboy co-star Gerard Christopher. After a brief retirement from acting, Russell reappeared in the Saw film series as John Kramer's ex-wife, Jill Tuck. Personal life In 1989, Russell married actor Vincent Van Patten, son of actor Dick Van Patten. The couple had two children before divorcing. Currently engaged to producer Mark Burg.